Under the high patronage of the President of the Republic of Senegal
Venue : International Conference Center, Dakar Diamniadio
CONTEXT
The development of the African transport system involves the development of specifications for African networks, technical governance of large rail areas and the mobilization of funding. Rail will obviously be the backbone of this mobility chain, and is an important asset for African integration and the development of trade as expressed in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
It is in this context that the International Union of Railways (UIC) and the National Senegalese Railways Company (CFS) are organizing an International Forum for the Financing of rail projects in Africa in the context of the railway renaissance and sustainable development.
OBJECTIVES
This Forum is organized in order to: (i) encourage ownership of rail development in Africa; (ii) bring together and mobilize rail sector stakeholders, political decision-makers, rail company and industry representa-tives, technical bodies, rail experts, economists, key players in financing; (iii) identify major national and international investment projects; (iv ) identify financing mechanisms; (v) strengthen public-private partnerships and (vi) develop cooperation between states through strategic support for regional and subregional projects.
PROGRAMME
EXPECTED RESULTS
The main results expected from this Forum are:
- Better integration of rail projects and Agenda 2063 "The Africa We Want" into na-tional development strategies
- Better consideration of specifications for African networks
- Technical support for African rail development
- Training efforts
- Fund-raising support for investment projects
- Roundtables on rail investment opportunities in Africa
- B to B meetings
- Partnership agreements signed
- Contacts with potential national and international partners.
PARTNERSHIPS
Sponsorships with investors.
PARTICIPANTS
400 to 500 participants are expected
Language
English & French
SPONSORS
Gold  |
Silver  |
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Venue
The Forum will be held at the Centre International de Conférence Abdou DIOUF de Dakar in Diamniadio (CICAD). This new town is located 36 km from Dakar. Shuttle buses will take participants from their hotels to the TER station and then to the Conference Center.
For participants staying in Dakar, a TER train will be available on Forum days at Dakar Railway Station. Further information will be available soon.
Visa formalities/procedures
West African and European Union States are exempt from visas and fees. Passports must be valid for at least six months after the date of travel.
Other visitors require an entry visa. It is preferable to start visa procedures with Senegalese embassies and high commissions as early as possible, as some airlines may require this before allowing you to board. You can also obtain a visa on arrival at Blaise DIAGNE International Airport. The standard fee for ordinary visas is US$50.
Delegates from African railways will receive a letter for the airlines allowing them to board without a visa. However, those transiting through other countries are advised to check the regulations in force in these transit countries before departure, to avoid any inconvenience during transit.
Arrival at the airport
A welcome committee will be set up at Blaise DIAGNE airport.
Travel arrangements
The currency used in Senegal is the CFA Franc. The exchange rate, as of September 2023, is 1 euro = 656 CFA F and 1 US dollar = 611 CFA F. A currency exchange service is available at the airport and in hotels.
Numerous ATMs are available in the city’s hotels, shopping malls and boutiques, and accept almost all internationally recognized credit and debit cards affiliated with SCT, Visa and Master Card.
The time zone in Dakar is 00 GMT.
The average temperature in Dakar in October is 28°C. This coincides with the end of the rainy season, and humidity is relatively high. Temperatures can peak at around 33°C. Light cotton clothing is therefore recommended.
Hotels
Please find a non-exhaustive list of hotels in Dakar and more practical information in the document below:
https://uic.org/events/IMG/pdf/information_note_forum_in_dakar_002_-_en.pdf
REGISTRATION
CONTACT
Maria Lafont, lafont@uic.org